These Coffee Chocolate Artsy Cookies, will satisfy all your chocolate and coffee cravings, arranged into a stunning artsy checker presentation.
Artsy Cookie Crave
There’s something wonderfully satisfying about the precision and playfulness of a checkerboard cookie. Half coffee, half chocolate, these cookies feel like edible art, a little patience, a little geometry, and a whole lot of buttery goodness.
I love the contrast of colors and flavors: deep cocoa meeting warm roasted coffee, baked together into a pattern that looks almost too pretty to eat, almost.
A Chocolate Obsession
What is our obsession with chocolate! Who cares we love it. Chocolate is loved most when it is melted and poured over… well, anything!
We love chocolate to sip with the family, in a Hot Chocolate Drink in the dead of winter, or an adult Hot Chocolate Cocktail.
When chocolate becomes a ganache, or a candy treat, especially a healthy Candy Treat sweetened with dates instead of sugar, we love it most. It’s Healthy!
We even love chocolate when it is blended into savory dishes, like a sauce or how about Chocolate Chili Pasta. Oh Yes!
Coffee Crave Is Real
Which do we crave more, Chocolate or Coffee? Who cares, let’s have them both!Â
Let’s be honest, who really starts a productive day without a lovely cup of hot coffee. It just sets the brain to firing on all pistons, kinda like a car.
We like coffee in our desserts, whether its cakes, pies or a delicate Macaron.
We like coffee in our rub mixes for meat, before they are grilled or roasted. We just love the earthy taste of coffee.
Let’s face it, when you love the flavor of coffee, you simply love it anyway you can have it!
What Makes An Artsy Cookie Artsy?
As a child, I was fascinated by checkerboard cookies, the way bakers could weave together two simple doughs into something so striking.
It wasn’t until years later, with a good cup of coffee by my side, that I learned the secret was patience and a steady hand.
My version blends the comforting flavor of coffee with the richness of chocolate, creating a cookie that’s as beautiful as it is bold, and indeed an artsy cookie must look ‘artsy’!
Where Does Artistry Come From When We Bake?
Generally, an artsy cookies has been thought of as one cut from a cookie cutter and decorated.
Instead, though, how about an artsy cookie that took its form and beauty from the artistic work of your hands!
Something like the amazing Button Cup Cookies I created for The Great American Recipe television program on PBS.
The judges said it looked at they they would be served at The French Laundry, and believe me, that is a huge compliment!
Likewise, let’s make these cookies also sing with the flavors we adults crave most; coffee and chocolate.
Other Artsy Cookies You Are Sure To Love
- Edible Flower Cookies – these gorgeous cookies make it worth your time to grow edible flowers
- Witch Fingers Shortbread Cookies – crazy fun for Halloween or any other witch gathering
- Salt Caramel Chestnut Cookies – the most flavor filled holiday cookie you will find
Artsy Checker Cookie Recipe
Who likes pretty cookies? Of course, we all do. Who likes to make pretty cookies at home? Guess I lost you there.
Are you willing to cut a bunch of strips of cookie dough and try your hand at making something really cool? Of course you are!
Hot Coffee and Rich Chocolate Artsy Squares!
Come on, you know that’s funny! Coffee beans and cacao beans seem kind of similar when we first obtain them from trees.
Actually, the ‘not as popular’ Carob bean grows much the same way but we’ll get back to that.
Once the beans have been roasted, whether lightly or to a dark robust flavor, they are ground into a powder we can use in a gazillion ways in our kitchen.
Actually, many beauty treatments use them too, but we will talk about that another time too.
I couldn’t help but to make an artsy cookie that combined two of my favorite cravings. The steps are easy, a little timely but easy, so let me explain how.
How To Make Coffee Chocolate Artsy Cookies
First we need two separate flavored doughs are made from the same recipe that is rich in butter, mascarpone (or cream cheese), sugar and flour.
Secondly, once the dough is mixed, separated, and the coffee is added to one, while the cocoa is added to the other, they are rolled flat.
It’s important to chill them for a bit before cutting into long strips, that will be stacked 7 layers high and 3 strips across.
The colder they are, the easier it will be to obtain even strips for stacking and cutting.
How To Assemble Checkerboard Coffee and Chocolate Cookie Dough
The assembly is next, and it goes something like this:
- First layer is chocolate, then coffee, then chocolate, side by side.
- Next layer is coffee, then chocolate, then coffee, side by side, reversed and on top of the first layer.
- Keeping strips as ‘in-line’ as possible.
- Continue in this way until you have 7 layers.
- Gently press on sides and top to nuzzle the strips together. Repeat with any remaining strips.
- Chill the stack for 30-minutes. This artsy bundle gets sliced into lovely checkerboard designs, baked and is ready to serve.
Ingredients To Create These Squares Of Art
- Butter, of course, is the foundation, soft and creamy, it gives the cookies their tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- A touch of mascarpone or cream cheese adds richness and just a hint of tang that deepens the flavor and keeps the dough pliable for shaping.
- Sugar sweetens gently, balancing the bitterness of cocoa powder and the roasted warmth of instant coffee crystals.
- A whisper of salt enhances every note, while flour binds it all into a smooth, workable dough. Half becomes a deep chocolate dream, the other half infused with coffee, and when the two are layered and sliced, they form the perfect checkerboard of flavor and design.
Equipment Needed For A Bit Of Precision
- A food processor or mixer makes quick work of blending the butter, mascarpone, and sugar into a smooth, creamy base.
- Measuring cups and spoons keep each ingredient in balance, and a measuring stick or ruler helps when it’s time to shape the dough into even strips for that clean checkerboard pattern.
- I roll and chill the dough on parchment paper, which makes transferring and stacking the layers so much easier.
- A sharp knife ensures each cut is crisp and neat, while baking sheets (or silicone sheets) provide an even surface for baking.
- Finally, the oven turns all that careful assembling into golden-edged, fragrant perfection, transforming artful dough into cookies that taste as beautiful as they look.
What To Serve With Coffee Chocolate Artsy Cookies?
Of course milk is always a good idea, but since these cookies look very grown up, why not serve these cookies with espresso and a shot of Sambuca with coffee beans!
Coffee Chocolate Artsy Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb Butter softened
- 8 oz Mascarpone softened
- 3/4 cup Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 3 1/2 cups Flour
- 2 tbsp Cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp Instant coffee crystals with 1 tsp hot water
Instructions
- Dissolve the instant coffee crystals in 1 tsp hot water and let sit to dissolve.
- In a food processor, place the butter, mascarpone, sugar, salt and flour and whisk until it forms a ball. Remove half of the dough and set aside.
- Break apart the dough remaining in the food processor and add the cocoa powder. Whisk again until it forms a dark ball. If dry, add a sprinkle of water or milk but it should be fine without it. Remove the chocolate dough ball from the mixer.
- Set the chocolate dough ball onto a piece of parchment paper with another on top and flatten a little with a rolling pin. Pop it into the fridge while preparing the coffee dough.
- Wipe out the work bowl and return the other half dough to the bowl, breaking it apart a little. Add the cooled/dissolved instant coffee mix and whisk. If too wet, add a few sprinkles of flour until it forms a dough ball. Remove and flatten the same as the chocolate dough. Leave both flattened disks of dough in the fridge for about 30-minutes. This can be done ahead as well.
- Roll out both chilled dough to about a quarter inch thick. Cut long strips, 1/2-inch wide by 10 or 12-inches long.
- Stacking and Cutting: 7 layers high, 3 strips across. First layer is chocolate, coffee, chocolate, side by side. Next layer is coffee, chocolate, coffee, side by side on top of the first layer, keeping strips as in-line as possible. Continue this way until you have 7 layers. Gently press on sides and top to nuzzle the strips together. Repeat with any remaining strips. Chill the stack for 30-minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheets, or use silicon baking sheets on top of the cookie sheets.
- Slice the stacked bundle to quarter-inch thick squares and lay the slices on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake about 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them not to burn but making sure a slight golden color on top indicates they are baked. Cool completely before removing from the baking sheet.
Notes
- Can be served with a sprinkle of cacao, powdered sugar, instant coffee powder, a drizzle of melted chocolate or nothing at all.Â
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.